Planning to travel to the UK with your pet? Wondering what documents you need for pet transport into the UK?
Whether you're coming from an EU country, a listed non-EU country, or an unlisted one, the UK has specific pet travel document requirements you must follow. Without the right paperwork, your pet could face quarantine, be denied entry, or even be sent back.

This guide explains the exact requirements based on where you're travelling from, ensuring your pet’s journey is smooth and stress-free.

If You're Travelling from an EU Country

Pets arriving from an EU member state must travel with one of the following:

• A valid EU Pet Passport, issued by an authorised vet in an EU country
• A GB Pet Health Certificate, issued by an official vet in the EU for entry into Great Britain
• A GB-issued pet passport, issued before 1 January 2021 (still valid for re-entry)

Important: UK vets can no longer update EU pet passports post-Brexit. All entries must be completed by an EU-authorised vet.

If You are Travelling from Listed Non-EU Country

If you're travelling from a country the UK recognises as "listed" for pet travel, you’ll need a:

• GB Pet Health Certificate, completed by an official vet in your country
  (This certificate is valid for entry into the UK within 10 days of issue)

It must include:

• Your pet’s microchip number and insertion date
• Rabies vaccination details (administered at least 21 days before entry)
• Tapeworm treatment details (for dogs — see section 4)
• Vet’s official stamp, signature, and contact details

See the UK’s list of “listed” countries here.

If You're Travelling from a Non-Listed (Unlisted) Country

Requirements from unlisted countries are stricter due to higher biosecurity risk. You must have:

• A GB Pet Health Certificate, issued by an official vet
• Rabies vaccination, given at least 30 days before the blood test
• A Rabies blood test (titer test) taken 30+ days after vaccination
• A 3-month wait after the blood sample is taken before entering the UK

All procedures and dates must be clearly recorded and certified by the vet.

Extra Step for Dogs: Tapeworm Treatment

If you're bringing a dog into the UK (unless you're travelling from Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Malta, or Norway), your dog must receive tapeworm treatment before arrival.

The treatment must be:

• Given by a vet no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (1–5 days) before entry
• Recorded in the Pet Passport or GB Pet Health Certificate
• Contain praziquantel or an equivalent effective against Echinococcus multilocularis

If Someone Else Is Travelling with Your Pet

If someone is transporting your pet on your behalf (e.g. a pet taxi driver), you must provide:

• A written declaration authorising them to travel with your pet
• Confirmation that the pet is not being sold or transferred to a new owner

This is a legal requirement and must be presented at the UK border.

Summary of Required Documents by Country Type

Travel Origin	Required Documents
EU Country	EU Pet Passport, or GB Pet Health Certificate, or GB-issued Pet Passport (pre-2021)
Listed Non-EU Country	GB Pet Health Certificate
Non-Listed Country	GB Pet Health Certificate + Rabies Titer Test + 3-Month Wait
Ireland Northern Ireland	No documents required EU Pet Passport

Carry Only Original Documents

Always travel with the original pet documents. Photocopies or digital scans will not be accepted at the border. Make sure everything is completed properly by your vet—mistakes or missing entries could lead to your pet being quarantined or refused entry.

Understanding Pet Travel Rules – We're Here to Guide You

At Pet Transportation , we specialise in safe, stress-free pet transport across Europe and into the UK.

While we don’t handle pet travel paperwork directly, we’re always happy to advise you on what documents you’ll need, and help you understand the requirements based on where you're travelling from.

If you're unsure about the next steps, or need guidance on preparing your pet for the journey - we're here to help.

Contact us today for expert advice and to book your pet’s transport with confidence.